Murder in the Big House

  • 1942
  • NR
  • 59m
movieMx RATING
6.5/104
VERDICT
HIT
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Performance & Direction: Murder in the Big House Review

Last updated: February 4, 2026

movieMx Editorial Team
REVIEWED BY

movieMx Editorial Team

🔍 Cinematic Analysis Expert

Leading cinematic analysis expert with over 10 years of experience in Bollywood and Hollywood box office tracking. Reviewed 500+ films with a focus on narrative structure and commercial profitability.

📅 Updated: February 4, 2026 🎟️ Verified Viewing

🎬 Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?

Is Murder in the Big House (1942) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a HIT with a verified audience rating of 6.5/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Action.

🎭 Cast Performances: A Masterclass

The success of any Action is often anchored by its ensemble, and Murder in the Big House features a noteworthy lineup led by Faye Emerson . Supported by the likes of Van Johnson and George Meeker , the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.

Performance Analysis: While the cast delivers competent and professional performances, they are occasionally hampered by a script that leans into familiar archetypes.

💡 Final Verdict: Is it Worth Watching?

In summary, our editorial assessment of Murder in the Big House (1942) is generally positive. With an audience rating of 6.5/10, it stands as a highly recommended experience for genre enthusiasts.
Result: HIT
Based on verified audience sentiment and box office trajectory, Murder in the Big House stands as a HIT.

Story & Plot Summary: Murder in the Big House

Quick Plot Summary: Murder in the Big House is a Action, Adventure, Crime, Drama, Romance film that delivers highly intense sequences and pulse-pounding confrontations that keep viewers on the edge of their seats. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict and narrative structure.

Ending Explained: Murder in the Big House

Ending Breakdown: Murder in the Big House concludes its story with a mix of closure and open interpretation. The finale presents its approach to action resolution.

The emotional climax centers on character transformation, offering viewers material for post-viewing discussion.

Ending Analysis:

  • Narrative Resolution: The story concludes by addressing its primary narrative threads, providing closure while maintaining some ambiguity.
  • Character Arcs: Character journeys reach their narrative endpoints, reflecting the film's thematic priorities.
  • Thematic Payoff: The ending reinforces the action themes established throughout the runtime.

The final moments of Murder in the Big House reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.

Murder in the Big House Real vs. Reel: Is it Based on a True Story?

Murder in the Big House incorporates elements from real criminal cases. As a action, adventure, crime, drama, romance film, it navigates the space between factual accuracy and narrative engagement.

Historical Context

The film takes creative liberties to enhance dramatic impact. Core events maintain connection to source material while adapting for theatrical presentation.

Creative interpretation shapes the final narrative, focusing on emotional truth over strict chronology.

Accuracy Assessment: Murder in the Big House adapts its source material for dramatic purposes. The film prioritizes thematic resonance over documentary precision.

Who Should Watch Murder in the Big House?

Worth Watching If You:

  • Enjoy Action films and don't mind familiar tropes
  • Are a fan of the cast or director
  • Want an adrenaline rush without demanding perfection
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Top Cast: Murder in the Big House

All Cast & Crew →
Faye Emerson
Faye EmersonGladys Wayne
Van Johnson
Van JohnsonBert Bell
George Meeker
George Meeker'Scoop' Conner
Tod Andrews
Tod AndrewsDapper Dan Malloy (as Michael Ames)
Roland Drew
Roland DrewMile-Away Gordon
Ruth Ford
Ruth FordIrene Gordon
William Gould
William GouldPrison Warden
Joe Devlin
Joe DevlinMotorcycle cop
John Maxwell
John MaxwellPrison Doctor
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Murder in the Big House Parents Guide & Age Rating

1942 Advisory
NR

Official Age Rating

Wondering about Murder in the Big House age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:

Murder in the Big House is rated NR. Parents should be aware that it contains violence, action sequences, mature themes, romantic content.

⏱️ Runtime & Duration

The total runtime of Murder in the Big House is 59 minutes (59m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.

Verdict Summary

Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 6.5/10, and global performance metrics, Murder in the Big House is classified as a HIT. It remains an essential part of the 1942 cinematic calendar.

HIT
Official movieMx status for Murder in the Big House. Rating: 6.5/10

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Murder in the Big House worth watching?

Murder in the Big House is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Action movies. It has a verified rating of 6.5/10 and stands as a HIT in our box office analysis.

Where can I find Murder in the Big House parents guide and age rating?

The official parents guide for Murder in the Big House identifies it as NR. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.

What is the total runtime of Murder in the Big House?

The total duration of Murder in the Big House is 59 minutes, which is approximately 0h 59m long.

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How Murder in the Big House Compares & Where it Ranks

Critic Reviews for Murder in the Big House

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🛡️

movieMx Verified

This review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.

This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.

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Expert Consensus
Live Rating
MOVIEMX
★ 6.5
Murder in the Big House
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